MEN OF TOMORROW By Gerard Jones

Published : 2004
Pages : 340
Overall Mark : 6/10

Starting in war time America, this book takes a look at the history of the modern comic book, with its history coming from such diverse areas as the Jewish science fiction writing community to the gangsters of the 20s and 30s. This looks at the differing levels of success had by many of the key figures in comic book history, from the creators of Superman and their struggle to retain creative control and ownership, right up to the inception of Marvel comics and their more fun loving approach to the business.

This was an interesting read, with lots of worrying aspects pointed out about the early life of the comic book maker. Much of the focus of this book is on the monetary gains and losses caused by comic books in their early years of manufacture, and the notion that people who follow their dream may find it soon turns into something of a nightmare.

DARKLY DREAMING DEXTER By Jeff Lindsay

Published : 2004
Pages : 275
Overall Mark : 9/10

Dexter Morgan works for the Miami police force as a lab technician, but in his spare time he harbours a dark secret. Dexter is a serial killer, specialising in torturing and murdering people who truly deserve to die, and he manages to cope with all the killings by distancing himself from other people by putting on a façade to hide his natural uncaring state. But when a new serial killer comes to town, one whose techniques Dexter finds attractive and fascinating, he realises that perhaps his murders have gone too far and that this new killer may actually be him acting without his own knowledge…

For a first novel, Jeff Lindsay does done an amazing job with the character of Dexter. By creating a truly likeable lead, despite his penchant for murder, Lindsay has given us a uniquely fascinating insight into the mind of a killer who is actually very likeable, and you’ll even find yourself routing for him at times.